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Puppy Obedience Training

Puppy Obedience Training in Columbia, SC

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An adorable puppy being held by their owner - get professional puppy obedience training in Columbia, SC with Dog Training Elite today.

Start Training Young with DTE

Puppy Obedience Training in Columbia, SC

Training is one of the most important steps in raising a well-mannered dog. Pups are eager to learn from a young age, and structured training helps prevent unwanted behaviors before they become habits.

DTE offers professional puppy obedience training in Columbia, SC that is designed to meet your needs. Our experienced trainers focus on building strong communication, reinforcing positive behaviors, and preparing puppies for more advanced training techniques as they grow.

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A little puppy sitting in grass, contact Dog Training Elite Midlands SC today.

Puppy Essentials Webinar

Free 70-Minute video

$45 Value

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Our trusted puppy class is now available "on-demand" from the comfort of your home! This webinar video is designed for owners of puppies age 8-16 weeks old, and will be accessible to you for free after completing the form below or with the purchase of one of our puppy packages!

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Our webinar includes education on the following topics:
  • Introducing a new puppy to your home
  • Health & well-being
  • Veterinary care & vaccines
  • Nurturing a good temperament
  • Scruffing & calming signals (e.g. dog yoga)
  • Basic Treat Obedience Including: Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate Training / Housebreaking
  • Socialization Tips
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Puppy Enrichment
  • Caring for Your Puppy

The Benefits of Puppy Training

Dog Training Elite

Early training shapes a puppy’s behavior for life. Teaching structure, commands, and impulse control early makes daily life easier and sets the stage for a well-behaved dog.

Without proper guidance, puppies can quickly develop habits like jumping, barking, or chewing that become harder to correct over time.
Training strengthens communication and trust, creating a better relationship between owner and dog.
Exposure to new people, places, and other dogs helps puppies become more adaptable and reduces anxiety in unfamiliar situations.
Obedience commands provide control in unpredictable situations, keeping puppies out of harm’s way.
An adorable puppy being trained by the experts at Dog Training Elite - get Columbia puppy obedience training today.

Puppy Training 101

Key Commands For Puppies

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Obedience commands help puppies understand what is expected of them and how to respond in different situations. These skills are fundamental for shaping a well-behaved and responsive dog:

  • Down: The "down" command teaches a puppy to lie down and stay in place until released. This command helps with impulse control and keeps a dog calm in busy environments or when guests visit.
  • Break: "Break" lets the puppy know they are free to move after following a previous command. This command helps structure training by showing the puppy when a command is over and they are allowed to move.
  • Heel: "Heel" teaches a puppy to walk calmly at the owner’s side rather than pulling ahead or lagging behind. Practicing this skill improves leash control, makes walks more enjoyable, and helps the dog stay focused in public settings.
  • Come: A reliable recall command is one of the most important skills a dog can learn. "Come" trains a puppy to return immediately when called, helping to prevent dangerous situations like running into traffic or getting lost.
  • Leave It: "Leave it" teaches a puppy to ignore or drop objects they shouldn’t touch, such as harmful food, household items, or dangerous materials. This command helps prevent destructive behavior and keeps the puppy safe.

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An golden retriever puppy outdoors - recieve expert guidance and training today from Dog Training Elite Midlands SC.

What to Expect from Dog Training Elite’s Puppy Program

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Training a puppy can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time owners. Professional training makes the process easier by providing clear structure, proven methods, and expert guidance to help puppies learn faster and with better results.

Dog Training Elite offers in-home training programs structured to meet the needs of each dog. When you sign up for our puppy training program, you can expect:

  1. Initial Assessment: Our trainers will provide a personalized evaluation of your puppy’s temperament, behavior, and current skills to create a customized training plan.
  2. Training Schedule: Private, in-home sessions are scheduled to fit your routine, allowing your puppy to learn in a familiar environment with real-world distractions.
  3. Clear Goals: Training focuses on impulse control and basic commands, helping your puppy develop respect and responsiveness.
  4. Owner Involvement: Hands-on guidance ensures you feel confident reinforcing commands at home for long-term success.
  5. Ongoing Support: Additional group classes and advanced training programs are available after puppy training to continue building on your puppy’s progress.

Dog Training Elite gives owners the tools and support they need to raise a well-behaved puppy without the frustration of trial and error.

A dog being trained with Dog Training Elite - book puppy obedience training in Columbia, SC today.

Start Obedience Training with Your Puppy Today


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The first few months of a puppy’s life are the most important for shaping their behavior, but training during this stage doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right approach, even the most energetic dogs can learn obedience and self-control.

Dog Training Elite provides expert guidance to make puppy training effective and rewarding. Our hands-on techniques keeps you actively involved in the process, teaching you how to reinforce good behavior even after the sessions are completed.

Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about our training programs.

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Ava Roxanne Stritt
    Oct. 3, 2025
    Amazing class! I enjoyed all of the knowledge and tips. I feel so much more confident with my dog.
  • Carla Roland
    Sep. 30, 2025
    Justin is personable and knowledgable.
  • LG BENAUER
    Aug. 22, 2025
    Laird is an amazing trainer. Lotty and I are learning so much! She seems to know how my puppy is going to respond and instructs me how to handle her response. Laird is very professional and kind a rare combination.
  • Marvin Carraway
    Aug. 21, 2025
    Trainer was very energetic, competent and an excellent communicator. The training session was very lively and informative
  • burtonable
    Jul. 15, 2025
    Justin was promptly on time. He explained everything thoroughly, very professional had handouts so you could visually see what you were getting along with the pricing list. His two dogs were fantastic and hopefully we’ll have a similar result by putting in the work.
  • Justin Monroe
    Sep. 15, 2025
    Working with Dog Training Elite and Laird has truly been a delightful experience for us. We couldn't be happier with how she has been so kind, knowledgeable, and loving towards our Akita. With her extensive experience, Laird has shared invaluable advice and guidance that has truly helped us in raising our dog. If you ever get the chance to work with Dog Training Elite or Laird, we're confident you'll have a wonderful experience too!
  • Sharon Hyde
    Aug. 11, 2025
    Justin was awesome. I was doubtful that Roxie was trainable With Justins explanation and our training she did great. We are so proud of her. Thank You Justin 😊
  • Phillip Walls
    Sep. 9, 2025
    When we started we were afraid that It was going to be a “Dance Mom” case. Yet it wasn’t. The assessment was awesome, their schedule for training was spot on & most of all they care enough to give us the best dog training experience we could enjoy
  • Vikki Meadows
    Sep. 5, 2025
    Justin is very professional and patient with me with training and very knowledgeable in his field. Bear loves him too!!!
  • Kelly Gandolfo
    Sep. 4, 2025
    Very informative and great demonstration from Louie!
  • Ned Timmerman
    Aug. 29, 2025
    Everybody here is absolutely amazing! I can’t speak highly enough of their knowledge and professionalism!
  • Carol DuBose
    Aug. 26, 2025
    Good job! My dog was happy and wanted to participate!
  • Jaclyn Willis
    Jun. 4, 2025
    After being n vacation for 10 days I was pleasantly surprised by how well our boys are doing. We were in FL and the boys were very stimulated by the crowds and noises at Universal Studios. We had compliments as to how well behaved they were. Today they learned a new skill (closing draws and doors). They were very proud of themselves!
  • Tim Dorton
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Justin was professional, polite, and an effective dog trainer. He exhibited patience and consistency. Our dog is showing progress with each session.
  • Stanton Green
    Aug. 12, 2025
    Justin was enthusiastic, friendly and clear in explaining the various programs. And very patient. Louie was spectacular!
  • Laurie Miller
    Aug. 11, 2025
    Wonderful first assessment! We look forward to starting Therapy School next week!!!!!
  • Owen Hart
    Jul. 31, 2025
    Justin is great!
  • Beverley Leeper
    Jul. 20, 2025
    Great as always
  • Gene Watchey
    Jul. 11, 2025
    Justin is a very professional young man who I have 100% confidence in his ability to help us create lovable obedient canine members of our family. ✅. Our first session has been extremely successful and rewarding.
  • Sprint Data Solutions
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Elite Dog Training – A Real Game-Changer After trying two other dog training companies that delivered zero results, I finally found the solution with Elite Dog Training—and what a difference. My dog, now 14 months old, has transformed into a focused, highly trained companion well on his way to becoming a legitimate service animal. The previous services turned out to be little more than slick websites outsourcing to inconsistent trainers, and none of them made meaningful progress. Elite was different from the start. They provided direct, hands-on training with real professionals who clearly understand canine behavior and training science. I saw improvements within weeks—obedience, responsiveness, and calm behavior that I couldn’t achieve elsewhere. Unlike the “middleman” services I encountered before, Elite doesn’t just promise results—they deliver them with consistency and care. If you're frustrated with ineffective training programs, I cannot recommend Elite Dog Training enough. They’re the real deal and they changed everything for us.